WI the Golden Horde converts to Orthodox Christianity

How? When? Is that even possible? Once read that Russian missionaries tried to convert the Mongol Yoke, could they achieve their goal? Can we imagine a (Russia-analog) Christian Turkic Eurasian nation? What would be the relation between the Tatar and the Slavs? And with the Anatolian Turks (Ottomans)?
 
Maybe through Nogai?

He was active at a time when the Mongol-Turks were transitioning from Buddhism to Islam
Plus he married the Byzantine Emperor's daughter. Though the leverage in that 'alliance' would make a conversion to Christianity unlikely, he did convert to Islam already in his lifetime.
Nogai also had alliances with several Russian princes, and was based in Eastern Europe (what is now Ukraine/Moldova/Romania) from what I gather, and could maybe turn to his populace/neighbours as allies in a power struggle against the Golden Horde proper (Nogai was never top khan)?
 
It shouldn't be too difficult, although the biggest obstacle may be nomadicism: Orthodox Christianity requires a more or less sedentary (or at least semi-nomadic) society - with physical Church structures, consistent communication with older sees, and the cultivation of/constant trade for wheat and wine for Communion. On the other hand, for ritual many interpretations of Islam require only the customary prayers towards Mecca (alongside almsgiving and the Hajj, of course) and are very accommodating towards transient preachers...
 
It shouldn't be too difficult, although the biggest obstacle may be nomadicism: Orthodox Christianity requires a more or less sedentary (or at least semi-nomadic) society - with physical Church structures, consistent communication with older sees, and the cultivation of/constant trade for wheat and wine for Communion. On the other hand, for ritual many interpretations of Islam require only the customary prayers towards Mecca (alongside almsgiving and the Hajj, of course) and are very accommodating towards transient preachers...

You're right about Christians. Still, one can also argue that ablution is an important part of Islamism, which is made a lot easier with a physical structure.
 
You're right about Christians. Still, one can also argue that ablution is an important part of Islamism, which is made a lot easier with a physical structure.

That's true. Discussing the mechanics of conversion is always tricky given the fluctuating circumstances of what is "written on our hearts," as it were.

As for the after effects of such a conversion, I can see the culture of the Rus becoming even more incomprehensible to the West with the inevitable intermingling with the Mongols.
 
It shouldn't be too difficult, although the biggest obstacle may be nomadicism: Orthodox Christianity requires a more or less sedentary (or at least semi-nomadic) society - with physical Church structures, consistent communication with older sees, and the cultivation of/constant trade for wheat and wine for Communion. On the other hand, for ritual many interpretations of Islam require only the customary prayers towards Mecca (alongside almsgiving and the Hajj, of course) and are very accommodating towards transient preachers...

There was plenty of urbanisation in the Horde, and such a conversion would speed it up greatly.

Wine is admittedly difficult to get, but would increase the importance of Crimea since it's one of the best places to grow wine in Horde territory.
 
Does this lead to a Crimea wank? A Mongol alt-Ukraine centered on there seems like it could be a powerful state.
 
Does this lead to a Crimea wank? A Mongol alt-Ukraine centered on there seems like it could be a powerful state.

Unless that corner of the steppe fragments from the main Golden Horde, I'd doubt it. The Volga basin is a much more sensible place for the center of the state rather than a borderland like that. In particular since its well-placed to push east into Siberia or north into Russia proper.
 
I agree that they would center themselves in the richest areas of the Horde once they can defend it, so Kiev or Moscow are the best choices. An interesting development would be the Turkification of Russian Boyars and a largely Slavic-speaking peasantry. I'm assuming that the Turko-Mongols are in enough numbers not to be simply culturally absorbed by the Slavs.
 
Well, an option for an Orthodox Golden Horde is to have the Romans be impressive - it is one of the reasons Islam (AFAIK) was adopted. Now, the Romans had converted people to Orthodoxy before, notably, the Russians.

I suggest an initial PoD (with a few others) where Manuel has success in the Morea and conquers it - avoiding the Battle of Prinitza's humiliation. With that campaign a success, Manuel can afford to hire more Seljuk Turks into his forces, giving him a stronger cavalry arm for later expansion - which prepares him for Nogai in 1265 with a stronger army. If this can lead to an unexpected victory for the Romans (perhaps they bring the Bulgars onto their side, or some other strategem), and the capture of Nogai, then he can be 'released' as a 'guest' and brought to Constantinople, and given the Hagia Sofia treatment (and hopefully conversion). A peace treaty later where Constantinople pays Nogai tribute, and marries off in exchange for the Romans getting control over Bulgaria and a treaty that puts south of the Danube under Roman, not Mongol rule. If Nogai can work his way out of that situation, perhaps by being able to commit more forces because of Manuel - perhaps the OTL marriage still takes place, which could have .. interesting consequences.

If Nogai is able to turn his defeat into the above described diplomatic victory, he could certainly rebuild his reputation and rather than commit his efforts to conquering south of the Danube, instead focuses on taking control of the Golden Horde - which with Roman help (and a few cities in recompense here and there), you could have the Golden Horde be Orthodox via Nogai, with strong Roman influence, later supplanted by a Mongol priesthood.

The right circumstances, and a well timed crisis, and you could see the Nogai as Roman Emperors, which is always a fun twist.
 
I can imagine a horde with the following border:Dnieper Estuary:Kharkov-Yelets-Nizhny Novgorod-Izhevsk-Chelyabinsk-Aral Sea-Caspian Sea.
South Border:Caucasus foothills.
 
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